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Epiclesis... An Ancient-Future Faith Community |
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Lent, 2012 |
Monday, March 5 |
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The Covenant and the Cross | |
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Greetings!
 | | Abraham |
As we're taking this journey through the season of Lent, our focus is on several important covenants in Scripture and how they point to, or find their ultimate fulfillment in, the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Last Sunday, we looked at the promises that God made to Abram (made before the patient nomad had the chance to show his faithfulness to God), how those promises were later memorialized in covenants, and how those covenants found ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
In Genesis 12, God promises Abram to make of him a great nation, to make his name great, and that he would be a blessing to the entire world.
In Genesis 15, 17, and 22, God comes back to Abram (in some cases after long stretches of time have have passed) and elevates those promises to covenant status.
Much, much, later, God fulfills those promises of nation, name, and universal blessing as they come to fruition in the Mosaic covenant, the Davidic covenant, and ultimately in the new covenant through Christ Jesus.
Remember, dear ones, that contracts are different than covenants: Contracts have to do with goods and services; covenants have to do with relationships. Yes, we've been bought with a price, but for the purpose of being adopted into the family. One of the Church Fathers writes that Jesus rode into the enemy's camp to rescue us from our pagan captors. He carried us away with him, and though we now belong to Him, He has called us to a more "noble purpose" as His sons and daughters.
 Don't forget that we have a Lenten devotional book prepared for you. It gives Scripture readings for Sundays, plus some commentary and a word or two about the season. You may pick one up on Sunday mornings, or click right here to download your own copy from our website. |
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In This eNewsletter Issue |
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Sunday Worship...
10:30 AM
The Carmichael Chapel (on the campus of the Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church) 4600 Winding Way Sacramento, CA 95841
General Information Line: (916) 572-9113 |
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Lenten J2J is Here
Four Session Series is Underway...
 The four-session Lenten discipleship series is underway with a focus on spiritual disciplines and also some follow up to our recent, in-depth journey through "The Divine Embrace." The precise scheduling of the sessions is up to each J2J group (be sure to contact them) and we'll be wrapping up right around Holy Week.
Contact your J2J leader for more information:
Steve and Barb Pinson
Ellen Koehler
Richard Bethel
Norm Covell
Don Bowes
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 Mandatum Novum
Maundy Thursday at Epiclesis...
Make plans to join us on Maundy Thursday, April 5, at 7 PM, at the Carmichael Chapel for our commemoration of the Last Supper and the "mandatum novum", or the "new commandment", that Jesus gave to His followers. Please mark your calendar and bring a friend, too-- it'sgoing to be a memorable evening of Scripture, singing, quiet prayer and reflection.
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EPIC Women
 But they can't deflect bullets...
Our Epic women are getting together on Saturday, March 17, from 10 AM to noon at Peet's on Madison for their monthly gathering. And no, they don't wear Wonder Woman costumes (although, honestly, that'd be a hoot) and they can't deflect bullets. What they actually do is gather for conversation, encouragement, and prayer. Sound good? Check out the online calendar for more information and directions... and hope to see you there!
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An Ancient-Future Quote to Note
Saving Faith
 | | Martyrdom of Antioch |
Those who profess themselves to be Christ's are known not only by what they say, but also by what they practice. "For the tree is known by its fruit." It is better to be silent and be a Christian than to speak and not be a follower of Christ. "The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." People "believe with the heart and confess with the mouth," the one "unto righteousness," the other "unto salvation."
It is good to teach if the one who speaks also acts. For the one who shall both "do and teach, the same shall be great in the kingdom." Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, first did and then taught, as Luke testifies, "whose praise is in the Gospel through all the churches." There is nothing which is hidden from the Lord, but our secrets are near to Him. Let us, therefore, do all things as those who have Him dwelling in us, that we may be His temples and He may be in us as God. Let Christ speak in us, even as He did in Paul. Let the Holy Spirit teach us to speak the things of Christ in like manner as He did. -Ignatius
 Check out a daily Scripture verse and a word from the Church Fathers by visiting The Chapel of the Ancient-Future Faith Network.
Image above: "The Martyrdom of Ignatius"; Traditional icon.
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Epiclesis Website Tip of the Week:
We've added some details to our "Contact Us" and "Weekly Worship Location" pages on the website, including a new phone number. Check them out today by clicking here (Contact Us page) or, also, by clicking here (Weekly Worship page). |
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